HAPPENING NOW … VAN HOLLEN BLASTS MCCONNELL ON DISCLOSURE: Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), sponsor of the DISCLOSE ACT, today blasted the remarks of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) last week that suggested the bill was a tool for liberals to silence their critics. “That is a bunch of nonsense,” Van Hollen said. “Senator McConnell is trying to pressure the IRS into not doing their jobs.” Van Hollen, the keynote speaker at a conference sponsored by the Center for Responsive Politics, spoke in favor of tightening disclosure requirements for tax exempt 501(c)(4) organizations that have come under fire recently for funneling millions of dollars into political campaigns. “The bottom line here is that these organizations are doing all sorts of gymnastics to prevent voters from knowing who is bankrolling the campaigns,” he said.

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PI SCOOP… MANEY HEADS TO BGR PUBLIC RELATIONS: House Rules Committee Communications Director Jo Maney is joining BGR Public Relations as a vice president. A 14-year vet of the House, Maney has been the panel's chief spokeswoman when Republicans were in control since 2000.

“Jo has been a key member of my staff for over a decade. She has provided me with excellent counsel and helped steer the communications operations of the Rules Committee through many challenging debates,” Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) said in a statement.

Maney comes on board following the recent departure of Erin Billings to Podesta Group.

CAMPAIGN TREASURER ACCUSES BOSS OF MISUSING FUNDS, RESIGNS: The treasurer of a congressional committee in New York resigned Monday, accusing her candidate, Joel Tyner, of misusing campaign funds. In a letter to the Federal Election Commission, Misha Fredericks, treasurer for Tyner’s campaign for New York’s 19 th Congressional District, said she repeatedly informed Tyner of discrepancies between the campaign and the FEC filings, but Tyner made no effort to reconcile the differences.

“There have been numerous fundraisers to support Mr. Tyner's congressional campaign. On only two of these have I received cash donations to deposit … I am sure there must have been other cash received but I was never informed of any,” Fredericks said in the letter. She also said many of the campaign’s volunteers have quit after learning that the money they raised was not being reported.

Tyner did not immediately return PI’s calls and emails for comment. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, he has raised $24,402 and has $8,500 cash on hand.

An emblematic Wednesday to you, PI nation, as we today mark the 230 th anniversary of Congress adopting the Great Seal of the United States, one of the nation’s most recognizable symbols. You know it: the one with the multitasking bald eagle gripping arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other, while holding a banner stating “ E pluribus unum”in its beak.

Thanks for reading, and now, back to the day’s top influence industry news …

SNAPPED: Former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), now with DLA Piper, chatting with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on the steps of the Senate this morning. Photo: http://yfrog.com/baqms2j

CAMPAIGN FINANCE FILINGS FLOOD IN: Today marks the monthly ritual of federal candidates, party committees and many political action committees and super PACs filing their federal campaign finance disclosures. While they all have until 11:59 p.m. tonight to do so — if you want a reporter to hate you with the fire of 1,000 suns, then go file at 11:59 p.m. — several notables have already dumped their documents for their May finances:

- DGA Action, the super PAC of the Democratic Governors Association, took in nearly $650,000 in contributions, the bulk coming from the American Federation of Teachers Committee on Political Education ($250,000), National Education Association Advocacy Fund ($250,000) and the DGA itself.

- The pro- Rick SantorumRed White and Blue Fund super PAC, which had raised and spent millions of dollars earlier this year while its guy was still running for the Republican presidential nomination, is a veritable nonentity these days, raising just $5,505. It does, however, still have more than $276,000 remaining in its coffers.

STARTUPS STORM CAPITOL HILL FOR LOBBYING DAY: The Consumer Electronics Association, Engine Advocacy and Startup America are today leading a delegation of 18 startup company founders, where they intend to meet with a number of congressional members, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Jim Moran (D-Va.), they tell PI.

SLAUGHTER RETURNS: Rep. Louise Slaughter didn't take long to get back into the fundraising game after being out for two months from a broken leg. On her first day back, the New York Democrat hosted a fundraiser for her reelection with Pelosi and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel (N.Y.). The event at the Credit Union House on Capitol Hill raised about $50,000, according to a PI tipster. Other colleagues in attendance: Reps. Marcy Kaptur (Ohio), Jerry Nadler (N.Y.), Kathy Hochul (N.Y.), Eshoo, Donna Edwards (Md.) and Peter DeFazio (Ore.).

Among other D.C. fundraisers today:

- Reps. Nadler and Israel are teaming up “in celebration of Congressman Gary Ackerman” for a “best of New York delis throwdown” at the Democratic National Committee’s Wasserman Room. The minimum donation is $1,000 per individual, $2,000 per PAC. Money raised will go to the Israel-Nadler Victory Fund joint fundraising committee. View the invitation: http://bit.ly/L4Lpc6

- Charlie Palmer Steak in D.C. is the scene for a fundraiser tonight for the Liberty and Prosperity PAC leadership PAC of Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.). A $1,000 donation gets you in the door, and it’s $2,000 if you represent a PAC. Invitation here: http://bit.ly/MhGKrR

- Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) is hosting a “Taste of Colorado” on Capitol Hill, where the minimum donation is $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a PAC. See the details: http://bit.ly/MgxQIk

HIGGINS LEAVES CAPITOL HEALTH GROUP:Jennifer Higgins, a principal at Capitol Health Group, has left the firm, chairman Mike Bromberg and CEO Shawn Coughlin announced to clients in a letter on Tuesday. Higgins’s departure comes after six years at the firm. Her clients included the Healthcare Leadership Council, Vanguard Health Systems and the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems. Bromberg and Coughlin said that there would be an “additional announcement” of upcoming transition and expansion plans. No word yet on where Higgins will land.

FORMER WYDEN STAFFER LEAVES THE HILL FOR AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE: The former Communications Director and Deputy Chief of Staff to Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jennifer Hoelzer, has been named vice president of communications for the American Film Institute. Hoelzer left Wyden’s office after six years and, in her new role, will manage communications from Hollywood to lawmakers in Washington, and in cities across the country. “Our goal was to find someone who could articulate the relevance of the moving image arts to the nation and the world, and we believe we have found that voice in Jen,” said AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale.

AHIP ADDS DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR:America’s Health Insurance Plans has added Brenda Weigel as its new director of digital media. Weigel, who comes from the National Association of Health Underwriters, where she was manager of electronic communications, will now be responsible for AHIP’s blog, Twitter feed (@AHIPCoverage) and other digital media.

NEW LEADERSHIP COMING TO HP IN WASHINGTON? Morning Tech has the scoop on a possible change of guard in Hewlett-Packard’s D.C. office. The rumor mill is spinning that Republican operative Maria Cino, a former deputy secretary of the Department of Transportation and Pfizer lobbyist, may be tapped as head of the company’s Washington office. HP spent more than $6.2 million on lobbying in 2011, and it retains Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Innovative Federal Strategies, Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti, Palmetto Group and Sternhell Group.

FORMER U.S.-CHINA BIZ COUNCIL HEAD TO JOIN BURSON-MARSTELLER: Burson-Marsteller has brought on Robert Kapp as strategic adviser in its U.S.-China Specialty Group. Kapp, a former head of the US-China Business Council for 11 years, has since led his own consultancy practice, Robert A. Kapp & Associates. He’ll work with Daisy King, the firm’s managing director and head of the U.S.-China Specialty Group.

PRIME POLICY PREVIEWS DUCK: Prime Policy Group is looking at its crystal ball and offering up its findings of what may happen in this fall's lame duck session. Click here for a sneak peak: http://bit.ly/KTRFoO

TWO JOHNS AND SOME CATFISH: Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) took a Twitter victory lap on Tuesday after their Farm Bill amendment to repeal the USDA’s catfish inspection program was approved. “Victory — we fried the catfish office! Senate passes my amd't w/ @JohnKerry today — full stmt: mccain.senate.gov/public/index.c… #FarmBillPork” McCain tweeted on his @SenJohnMcCain handle. Shortly after, Kerry responded, nicknaming McCain “Johnny Mc.” He tweeted: "fun when we r on same side! good fight, better win, thanks MT @SenJohnMcCain: Victory — we fried the catfish office!”

The McCain-Kerry amendment rolls back a 2008 Farm Bill provision transferring catfish inspection authority from the FDA to the USDA — a change both senators considered wasteful and duplicative.

OGILVY GR FACES EXODUS: Anna has the scoop on a trio of GOP veteran lobbyists leaving Ogilvy Government Relations. Drew Maloney is headed to the Republican National Committee, Elena Tompkins is expected to form her own shop, and John O'Neill is joining Capitol Counsel. O'Neill comes on board to beef up the firm's tax practice after Jim Gould and Tucker Shumack left Capitol Counsel. Click here for the full story: http://politi.co/NPuPTp

DEMS, ABRAMOFF SPAR OVER WEBSITE: John Bresnahan and Anna have the story on former uber-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committ ee continuing to fight over the website www.jackabramoff.com. Unable to get the DCCC to release the domain name to him, Abramoff has sought the help of a third party arbiter. Click here for the full story: http://politi.co/NPv4hm

POLITICO’S MIKE ALLEN HAS THE SCOOP on some moves in this morning’s Playbook :

Ray Sullivan, Gov. Rick Perry’s former presidential communications director, has re-launched his Austin-based lobbying, public relations and political consultancy Sullivan Public Affairs. Sullivan shuttered the firm in 2009 during his two-year stint as Perry’s chief of staff in the Texas capital.

Larry Thompson, a senior fellow with the Brookings Institution, is re-joining PepsiCo July 30 as executive vice president of government affairs, general counsel and corporate secretary.

And Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski is announcing today that Josh Gottheimer will step down as senior counselor to the chairman and director of public-private initiatives in July. Jordan Usdan, the current deputy director of PPI, will become acting director of PPI.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN DEFENDS AGAINST ACCOUNTING DISCREPANCY: The Employees ofNorthrop Grumman Corporation PAC informed the FEC that it identified a $5,851 discrepancy in its cash on hand, found when a new vendor began managing its finances. “New processes have been implemented to ensure that all subsequent reports filed by the PAC are complete and accurate,” PAC Treasurer Cary Davidson wrote.

DAILY FUNNY: Can you tell the difference between a super PAC and a Nintendo game? Do your best here: http://bit.ly/KK4bf8 — via Mental Floss.

Authors:

About The Author

Anna Palmer is a senior Washington correspondent for POLITICO and co-author of POLITICO’s Playbook, the most indispensable morning newsletter for the biggest influencers in politics.

Anna covers the world of Congress and politics, and has successfully chronicled the business of Washington insiders for years. Her stories take readers behind the scenes for the biggest fights in Washington as well as the 2016 election.

Prior to becoming POLITICO’s senior Washington correspondent, Anna was the co-author of the daily newsletter, POLITICO Influence, considered a must-read on K Street.

Anna previously covered House leadership and lobbying as a staff writer for Roll Call. She got her start in Washington journalism as a lobbying business reporter for the industry newsletter Influence. She has also worked at Legal Times, where she covered the intersection of money and politics for the legal and lobbying industry, first as a staff writer and then as an editor.

A native of North Dakota, Anna is a graduate of St. Olaf College, where she was executive editor of the weekly campus newspaper, the Manitou Messenger. She lives in Washington, D.C.

About The Author

Dave Levinthal reports on political influence issues for POLITICO. Before joining POLITICO, Dave worked for two years as editor of OpenSecrets.org at the Center for Responsive Politics, where he oversaw the Center's original journalism and provided analysis to hundreds of television, radio and print news outlets.

Between 2003 and 2009, Dave reported on Dallas City Hall for The Dallas Morning News, and from 2000 to 2002, covered the New Hampshire Statehouse for the Lawrence (Mass.) Eagle-Tribune. He graduated from Syracuse University with degrees in newspaper journalism and political philosophy and edited The Daily Orange.

Some may argue, but there is no more dedicated Bills fan than this Buffalo, N.Y., native.